Chapter 796 – Hidden Desires of the Werewolf King Novel

Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel

Talia could sense that the child was not from the Shadow Fang pack, and what stood out in this mass of smiles was that the girl was not smiling. Her expression held a sadness that was kept in. It was uncharacteristic for such a young child.

Talia remembered that Mindy and Tatiana collaborated that people from the Blue River pack shelters to help with the fair, and Talia guessed that the girl was from that group.

“Do you know who is the girl at the ramen stand?” Talia asked.

Mindy was not sure, so she looked at Tatiana.

“Oh…” Tatiana said when she recognized the face. “That’s Jane. Why?”

“It’s just…” Talia was not sure how to explain it. “She seems to be shouldering grief that shouldn’t belong to such a young child.”

Tatiana nodded in confirmation. “She came to our shelter not long ago. We found her wandering the streets of a human city and searching for food in trash cans. We have no idea if she has any living family, and we don’t even know her name. She has no pack link. Jane refuses to talk, and people in the shelter gave her the name Jane Doe. She doesn’t trust people, and when she finally opened up to one…” Tatiana glanced around, and she was glad that Cornelia and James had left the table some time ago.

Tatiana continued in a hushed voice. “It was Kim Dorsey. Jane was by her side when Kim was killed.”

Talia’s face fell when she connected that Kim was Marcy. She read reports that Marcy was killed during the rogue attack while defending a child, but Talia didn’t know that was the girl in question.

“It must have been horrible for the girl,” Talia said. If she didn’t belong to a pack, it meant that she grew up isolated from their kind and probably from humans as well. At such a young age, she wouldn’t be able to shift into wolf form and hunt, and since her social skills were lacking, she couldn’t seek help either.

“Whatever progress she made, it was wiped off with that attack,” Tatiana said. “After that, Jane barely ate. We brought her here because we didn’t know what else to do. Our psychologists are helpless because she is not responding to their treatments. At this rate, she will lose her wolf.” Tatiana looked toward the ramen stand. “To be honest, I am surprised to see that she is reacting to the instructions of that man. Is he some kind of an expert with trauma victims, or is he just good with children?”

“That’s Lulu’s father,” Talia said, and it took a second for everyone to understand what Talia meant.

“Sometimes, one grief recognizes another,” Gideon said.

“Do you think they could help each other heal?” Mindy asked.

Gideon shook his head. “No one heals after such a loss. But maybe they can help each other find purpose to keep living.”

“What are you thinking?” Tatiana asked Talia, who was obviously up to something.

“Both Chef Page and Jane lost the only person they were attached to. Would it be possible for him to visit Jane, or maybe for Jane to stay with him?”

Tatiana looked at Maddox, who was so far only listening.

“As Tanya said, our treatments are not working. If you have an idea, feel free to give it a shot,” Maddox said.

Talia was quick to mind-link Dayson. ‘Can we get someone to replace chef Page at his stall temporarily? I would like to talk to him.’

…

“You want me to do what?” Chef Page asked Talia in disbelief.

Chef Page and Talia were at the table with Dayson, Mindy, Gideon, Maddox, and Tatiana.

“The girl helping you at the stand,” Talia said. “She lost a person who was dear to her recently and is currently staying in a shelter in the Blue River pack. She is not responsive to attempts to integrate into society. I was hoping you could take some time off the stand and check out the fair with her and see how it goes.”

Chef Page looked at the stand he left behind that was now staffed by two warriors from the Shadow Fang pack. Jane was standing behind them with her head lowered. He told her to wait, and she didn’t move a muscle.

“What should I do with a child I barely know? Play games?” Chef Page asked.

Talia shrugged. “If that’s what you want.”

“You could take her to a stand that sells sweets. Kids like those,” Tatiana said. “We can give you money to cover the expenses.”

Chef Page lifted his hand. “With all due respect, Luna Tatiana, I have money for snacks. I just don’t see why me. I have no idea how to deal with children who are grieving.”

“You are the first person to whom Jane responded in weeks,” Maddox said. He omitted the part with Marcy. “At this rate, the girl is at risk of losing her wolf. She is barely eating, and we tried everything in our power. You are our last hope that Jane’s life could turn for the better.”

“The worst thing is that she doesn’t cooperate,” Gideon said. “No one will blame you.”

Seeing that Chef Page hesitated, Talia didn’t want to push it. “It’s OK if you are not comfortable with it. We were only asking. You can return to your stall and pretend that this discussion didn’t happen.”

“I didn’t say I won’t do it,” Chef Page said. “But, how do you expect me to make her play games?” He told her, more than once, that she should go to the area for children and enjoy the fair, but the girl didn’t leave.

Talia got an idea. “Let me take care of it. I just want to know if you are willing.”

“Alright. Let’s say you persuade her to go, and I accompany her. Then what?”

“Let’s take this one step at a time and see how tonight goes,” Talia said. “It goes both ways. If you want to meet her again, you are welcome to visit her in the shelter, or maybe she can visit you.”

Chef Page went to return to his stall, and Talia reached into her backpack.

Dayson was curious to see what Talia had on her mind, and his eyebrows shot up when he saw her pulling a small plush toy from there. It was Cinna.

Talia patted the plush puppy’s head and looked at Dayson. “I was thinking of giving it at one of the stalls where these are used as prizes, but this will be better. If it works.” She gave Dayson a kiss on the cheek. “Wish me luck! Watch over my backpack until I return.”

Jane followed after Talia, away from the fair. They didn’t go far, just enough for them to talk without shouting. Actually, Talia did all the talking as Jane was looking at her shoes and not saying anything.

“Is this your first time at the fair?” Talia asked Jane.

Seeing that Jane didn’t respond, Talia continued, “I heard that you are not interested in going to the fair to play. Is it because you want to stay with Chef Page and help him?”

Jane nodded faintly.

“Ah, I understand,” Talia said dramatically. “Sometimes, you want to have fun, but you must work.”

Jane raised her head to look at Talia quizzically.

Talia puffed her cheeks. “To be honest, I’m feeling down lately, and I don’t want to have fun. If it were up to me, I would stay in my bed all day and hope no one would disturb me. But I had to come here as it didn’t seem right that I relax while everyone else was working. The one who wants to have fun is Cinna.”

Jane’s eyes fell on a plush toy that Talia was cradling in her arms like it was a baby.

“You see…” Talia lowered her voice, “It’s Cinna’s first time at the fair, and she would like to look around, but I can’t take her because I’m busy. Do you know someone who can show her around and take good care of her? She is small, and I’m afraid she might get lost. It needs to be someone responsible.”

Talia raised the toy to her ear.

“What did you say? You think that Jane is trustworthy, and you want to go with her? But she needs to work with Chef Page.”

Talia looked at Jane and then at Cinna. “I know you like Jane, but she wants to help Chef Page at the stall. How can she take you? We need to find someone else.”

Jane’s eyes widened, and Talia could see the conflict on Jane’s little face.

“Would you like to take Cinna to visit the fair? I can ask my friends to help out Chef Page so the three of you can go together. He could use a break as well. The man is standing there for hours. Can you make sure he has some fun and treats?”

Jane blinked, and a slight movement of her head told Talia that the girl was considering it.

Talia stroked the toy gently. “I love Cinna. She is very precious to me. However, I don’t have much time to play with her. Cinna needs a good playmate. Are you willing to take her around the fair? If you promise to take good care of Cinna, I can let you have her as long as you let me visit occasionally.”

Jane’s eyes widened to the point of making full circles.

“What do you say, Jane? Do we have a deal?”

…

Talia leaned on Dayson, and they looked at the crowd in the direction where Chef Page, Jane, and Cinna disappeared.

“Do you think I’m meddling?” Talia asked Dayson.

“I think you are amazing,” Dayson said honestly. “That girl needed it, and so did Chef Page.” And he got rid of that wretched toy also.

How Dayson saw this, it was a win-win-win situation with him winning the most because Keith’s spirit won’t linger in their bedroom anymore in the form of a small plush puppy.

“What if it doesn’t work?” Talia asked.

“Then, you keep trying. You care about people, and your intentions are pure, and that’s what counts.” He looked at her deeply. “You are an amazing Luna. You make it look so easy because your kindness and care for people come naturally.”

Talia liked the praise.

“Do you want to eat ramen?” Dayson reminded her. “It’s probably cold by now. We should order another serving.”

“Maybe later,” Talia said. “I want us to see the games. Do you think that Blackie could get another sibling?”

Guilt swelled within Dayson. “Kitten, about Cinna. I know it was your first toy and…”

“Cinna found a better home,” Talia said quickly. “Jane needs Cinna more than I do. I thought that we could play some games and you could win a toy for our pup. His first toy.”

“HER first toy,” Dayson corrected Talia.

Talia rolled her eyes. That was not the point. “What do you say, daddy Dayson? Will you win the first toy for your child?”

Dayson sucked in a sharp breath. There it was, that word… d-a-d-d-y.

“Of course,” Dayson responded after some time. “Our pup will have only the best her father can offer.”

Talia laughed, mostly because she could feel Dayson’s happiness and anxiety that didn’t fit his image of a scary Alpha, but it fit well with a man who was excited about becoming a father.

…

Talia asked Dayson to walk around first. She wanted to see what games were there (and prizes) before they started playing.

There was mini golf, skeeball, Plinko, several varieties of ring toss, a huge Jenga, blind tasting where one had to guess the food that was placed into his (or her) mouth; one vendor had an aquarium where parents could catch a real goldfish for their kids, and there were sack races for couples.

Talia paused at the game where helium balloons were arranged, and if a player popped a balloon with a dart, he won whatever was in it. Not every balloon had a prize inside.

There was one enclosed area with arcades, pinball machines, foosball, and air-hockey tables.

Talia peered to see Jane and Chef Page at the vintage space invaders arcade game. They played a game with two players, and Cinna was tucked into Jane’s t-shirt with her head peeking below Jane’s chin.

“I told you, kitten,” Dayson spoke close to her ear. “You are an amazing Luna. Don’t ever doubt yourself.”

Talia’s heart swelled. She didn’t know how things between Chef Page and Jane would progress or if they would progress at all, but the two sad and lonely souls were not so lonely anymore, and that was a good thing.

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